An Unlikely Antidote to Perfectionism

In a recent workshop with an all-women team, we explored the paralyzing effects of perfectionism—something just about everyone can relate to. But women often carry a deeper, historic relationship with it.

Historically, women’s value was measured against a narrow set of “rules and roles.” Culture dictates what’s acceptable, rewarded, or punished—who gets access to what and what traits are ideal. And while many of these rules feel antiquated today, their echoes linger.

For centuries, women’s worth was tied to being pleasing, perfect, and supportive. Survival and acceptance often depended on it. From Jane Austen novels to contemporary magazines, the message was clear: perfection matters. Even today, research shows that men will apply for a job if they meet roughly 40–45% of the qualifications, whereas women often wait until they meet 92–98%. That’s perfectionism baked into our instincts.

So how do we let go of it? Surprisingly, the antidote comes from an unlikely source: improv business training.

In improv, there is no “right” or “wrong.” There are only possibilities. There are no mistakes, only choices. It’s a space where women—and anyone prone to perfectionism—can reconnect with intuition, instinct, and authentic knowing, free from the pressure to be accepted, perfect, or pleasing.

When women tap into this freedom, perfectionism loosens its grip. The paralysis fades. The fear of being wrong is replaced with curiosity, courage, and joy. People start to trust themselves and their choices, and the act of showing up becomes something they own rather than something they perform for others.

Best of all? It’s fun. Transformative, yes—but fun. Watching women shed perfectionism and embrace bold, fearless choices in improv is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a facilitator.

If you’re curious about how improv can unlock authentic confidence and free you from perfectionism, you can read more about corporate improv training here.